want one.” I laughed. “I told her I was sharing a dog.” Apparently,
I was the only one who got the joke.
Hailey gave me a sideways glance. “It’s getting kinda cool.
Are you ready to call it a day?”
She was right. The late afternoon breeze was getting cooler,
and the air between us was becoming more frigid by the second.
We didn’t talk much as we gathered everything and hiked back
to the car. I took that as a good sign. Hailey was obviously put
off by Marci’s call. For someone who wanted to be just friends,
she appeared a mite jealous to me. This was a moment that I
could’ve seized upon and might’ve gotten Hailey to admit she
wanted more, but…I was too chicken. As bad as I wanted her, to
be rejected again would’ve been just too damn much.
“Wanna pick up something for dinner?” I asked as we headed
home.
“I’ll take a rain check on that if you don’t mind.” Hailey’s
face was turned toward the window when she answered. “I’ve
got some work to do, and I don’t want to spend my entire Sunday
with a laptop.”
10
Pitifully Ugly
“No problem.” I tried to sound nonchalant, but this turn of
events was grating my nerves. I was aggravated with her attitude
and just plain pissed at myself for being too afraid to confront
her.
11
Robin Alexander
Chapter 27
Apparently, I’m a weenie.
Kalen and I had gone almost two weeks without seeing each
other due to my illness and her morning sickness. She called me
on a Monday and invited me to lunch, but I wasn’t in the mood.
I met her at the salon on Rampart after she threatened to “skull
drag” me out of my apartment.
My normally vibrant sister looked bloated and tired when she
greeted me. After she hugged me, she leaned heavily against the
counter. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“You’re having twins,” I teased.
“God, no, one baby is draining me enough,” Kalen said with
a tired smile. “Someone wants to see you.”
I felt hands on my shoulders and turned to see my mom
grinning from ear to ear. “Surprise,” she said as she hugged me
tight.
“When did you get in?” I asked.
“Late last night. Your father is doing well, and I wanted to be
with my girls.” She cupped my cheeks in her hands and kissed me
on the nose before pulling me in for another hug.
“I’m so glad to see you. I’ve missed you so much.” I hugged
her back.
“That is just so freaking sweet.” We both turned and looked
at Kalen, who had tears streaming down her face. She blew her
nose and looked at Mom and me. “I’m very emotional right now,”
she said with a shrug. “Somebody needs to feed me or I’m gonna
pass out.”
12
Pitifully Ugly
Mom took us to her favorite New Orleans haunt, Maspero’s.
In her mind, a shrimp po’boy could mend anything, including
morning sickness that in Kalen’s case lasted all day. I’d eaten half
of my sandwich when I felt uncomfortably full. Kalen ate all of
hers and took care of my leftovers.
Kalen burped and blushed. “Sorry, the baby made me do it.”
“You were a pig before you picked up a passenger,” I teased.
Kalen shook her head. “I have no control over myself anymore.
The other day, I folded a load of laundry and promptly threw up
in the basket. Then I cried because I ruined the laundry.”
Mom patted Kalen’s arm. “I suffered with nausea most of
the time when I was pregnant with you. Sucking on peppermints
always helped.”
“And you did it twice?” I said. “I would’ve given up after the
first baby.”
“I’m glad she didn’t.” Kalen reached over and clutched my
hand. “I couldn’t imagine life without you.”
“What has gotten into you?” I asked Kalen with mock
disgust. “You’ve gotten all affectionate and…warm and fuzzy.
It’s gross.”
“I know, it’s weird. I’m all cuddly when it comes to you, but
I want to strangle Todd.”
“That’s because your baby sister is your comfort zone,” Mom
said. That sort of stunned me. Kalen had always been my comfort.
It felt strange to have the roles reversed.
Mom reached over and put her hand on mine while Kalen
gripped the other. “Don’t turn around, but there’s a lovely young
woman at the table by the window that keeps looking at you.”
“I’ve given up on women,” I said resolutely. “They’re a pain
in the ass.” I smiled at Mom. “Well, you’re not.”
“Shannon.” Kalen leaned closer and lowered her voice. “It’s
Hailey.”
Involuntarily, I turned and looked. It was indeed Hailey. I
felt the muscles in my stomach tighten as I stared at her. She was
stunning in a navy blue suit with her curly hair spilling over her
shoulders. She sat with whom I assumed were her colleagues
1
Robin Alexander
from work enjoying a working lunch. There were six including
Hailey. Everyone seemed to be discussing something, but Hailey
stared out the window until she turned suddenly and caught my
eye. She smiled and waved discreetly. I nodded and smiled before
turning back around.
“So things didn’t work out between you?” Mom asked.
I shook my head. “We’re just friends.”
Mom glanced in her direction and smiled.
“Okay, everybody stop looking at her,” I said. “This is
awkward.”
“That’s who took care of Shannon when she had strep.” Kalen
chewed on her straw and looked around me.
“Quit looking over there,” I growled out. “She’s gonna think
we’re talking about her.”
“I know. I spoke to her on the phone when I cal ed,” Mom said.
“You did?” I asked, surprised.
“You were sleeping. She told me that she and Marvin had
taken you to the doctor and that she was making sure you took
your medicine.”
“She didn’t tell me you called.”
“She probably had her hands full with you.” Mom grinned.
“You’re a big baby when you’re sick.”
“A weenie is more like it.” Kalen swiped a shrimp from
Mom’s plate.
Mom glanced at Hailey’s table again. “She’s absolutely
adorable, and she’s coming over.”
I turned just as Hailey walked up.
“Thought I’d come over and say hi,” Hailey said with a shy
smile.
“I’m glad you did.” I managed to return the smile. “I believe
you’ve already met Kalen, my sister. This is my mom, Jill, who
just informed me that you’ve already spoken.”
Hailey made a face. “Oh, I did, and I forgot to tell you she
called. I’m sorry.”
“Think nothing of it, sweetie.” Mom reached over and took
Hailey’s hand. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you in person and
thank you for taking care of—”
14
Pitifully Ugly
“Our weenie,” Kalen interjected.
Hailey smiled and winked at Kalen, then looked back at
my mom, who had embarrassingly not released her hand. “It’s
a pleasure to meet you, too, Mrs. Brycen. And I enjoyed taking